Old 03-19-2012, 06:08 AM
  #32432  
BoJangles
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Location: Rescue, California
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Originally Posted by Candace View Post
EUREKA!!!! Cathy, you are brilliant. That spring needle you pictured is the absolutely BEST FMQ tool for the 319 I've found. Here's the thing. I've had it forever and haven't used it with the 319 because it never dawned on me that the needle could be removed and replaced. I had assumed it was factory made to be replaced with the needle, if and when it was dull or broken. So, I had basically counted it out considering the 319 takes specialty 206 x 13 needles. When you mentioned that you thought other needles could be inserted that really got me motivated.

First, I removed the spring using my fingernail. I inserted the 206 size 12 needle and it worked, but not great. I was getting some skipped stitches. So, I tried the size 14 and it was a bit harder to install in the spring. As you can see by the photo the length of the needle is different and it took me a while to get the spring to sit on the sweet spot of the needle and yet to allow it to insert fully into the needle holder clamp. But, after a minute or two of playing with it, I got it just right in the spring and did the best FMQ ever on the 319! I'm so exicited to have this machine as an option. I was using junk thread so hope to have better results using quality thread;> I FMQ a lot and spend countless hours doing so. So...having machines that do a good job with it is very important to me.

So, thanks Cathy for giving me this option as it's great. I'm going to use the spring attachment I received from you on my Rotary 77.

I would suggest that anyone interested in FMQ on their 319 to buy one of these spring needles!
Ok, I am starting to get caught up! Candace, you figured it out? You can now use your 319 for FM? I want to get one of those springs, but how much trouble is it to install? I have so many other machines to use for FM, that I doubt I'd ever use my 319, especially since it is in a treadle! When I do FM, I need to be sitting with a machine at the dinning room table because of the size of most of my quilts, unless it is a Quilt as You Go - which I do on my 15-88 treadle. How exciting, though. It would be fun to play with that spring thing, but it looks dangerous too!

By the way, you do a great job with FM! I am not as good as you are, but I do enjoy doing the FM! Congratulations on figuring out how to use the 'spring thing' with Cathy's help!

Nancy

Last edited by BoJangles; 03-19-2012 at 06:11 AM.
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